"History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Co.'s, Indiana"
Goodspeed Bros. and Co., 1884
JAMES W. PALMER, who was born March 18, 1826, in Fauquier County, Virginia,
is one of thirteen children born to JOSEPH and ELIZABETH (FULLER) PALMER,
who came to Lawrence County, Indiana, at a very early day and entered
Government land within six miles of Bedford, where they died at the advanced
age of eighty-two and ninety-four years respectively. Joseph Palmer was one
of the leading early settlers of the county, and during his life never sat
on a jury or was sworn as a witness, a fact almost incredible. James W.
Palmer received such schooling as was to be had at that early day in
Lawrence County, and in early life followed farming, but in 1852 opened a
general merchandising store in Bedford, which he continued until 1861, when
he began dealing in clothing, at which he is still engaged. The winter of
1846, his marriage with LAURA NEWLAND was solemnized, and to their union two
children were born, named ROBERT N. and PHETNA. Mrs. Palmer's death
occurring in March, 1852, Mr. Palmer was married July 31, 1856, to Miss JANE
JOHNSON by whom he is the father of five children: ISAIAH, JAMES, MARY,
GOLDA and EDWARD. Mr. Palmer was a Whig in early life but in 1856 allied
himself with the Republican party and during the war took strong grounds
against slavery. Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Christian Church at Bedford.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"